Ralph G. Wilder

Ralph Wilder, well known musician, clarinetist, conductor, professor, and performer of numerous musical styles- has succumbed to the injuries inflicted by the terrible accident in May 2018. Ralph, 77, had no intentions of retiring and was happy to live his busy life that included conducting the Northwest Concert Band, formerly the Mt. Prospect Community Band, teaching clarinet and saxophone, woodwinds, and music appreciation at North Park University, and playing principal clarinet in the Evanston Symphony. For many years, Ralph was the leader of his own “party band” called the Ralph Wilder Orchestra and was still performing frequently with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, playing lead alto saxophone with the APOL jazz band, and playing in a Dixieland band. Ralph’s injuries came from a large piece of theatrical equipment that fell on him during a rehearsal with the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble. It broke shoulder bones, ribs, and vertebrae resulting in complete paralysis from mid-chest down. Ralph leaves behind his son Jeffrey (Kristi), daughter Debra, and his grandchildren Zachary and Joshua. Ralph’s life was well-lived. His successes as a clarinetist, band-leader, and conductor were superb. He leaves an enormous number of musician friends that he will miss dearly. Funeral service Wednesday, March 2, 10:00 AM at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.asimplestreaming.com/rgwilder. Interment private. Info: 847-256-5700.